Ilkley 2nd 0, Otley Saracens 69

ANOTHER humbling of local opposition by a rampant Saracens side saw them run in 11 tries and prevent any score by the hosts – even when reduced to 13 men.

Those two yellow cards, coming within a minute of each other, were the only real blot on the landscape as Otley stuck to their patterns and displayed a ruthless edge to their flowing back play.

While both cards could have been adjudged harsh, they did come during a period when Otley conceded a string of penalties as they became over anxious to win every phase.

They were dominant in the set-pieces and in the loose, so could afford to be more patient. And having survived those tense ten minutes, they regained their composure and discipline to re-establish control of a game that never looked in doubt from the opening exchange.

This also allowed them to make full use of their talented bench without disrupting their game-plan.

The forwards soon had the measure of their opposite numbers and powerful bursts from Rigg, Cowley and Goodwill made huge inroads into the defence, creating the space out wide for the backs to exploit.

Full back Andy Taylor scored the first two tries, the second from a pulsating passage of play involving forwards and backs sweeping the length of the field.

Started by a charge from prop Will Rigg, good support play recycled the ball and Maunder's quick take and pass under pressure put Taylor clear.

Rock scored twice, including a length-of-the-field effort from an interception.

This compensated for his earlier error, when a short-range penalty kick to touch on the five-metre line went straight into the hands of the quick-thinking Ilkley wing.

Fortunately he was hunted down by the defence, which was well organised throughout and rarely threatened.

This was epitomised by the positioning of winger Walker, who bottled up his opposite number and helped turn many defensive situations into opportunities for counter-attack, scoring a hat-trick himself – including his 12th and Saracens' 50th of the season.

Prop George Burkinshaw played a lead role in much of the forward effort, making strong tackles, popping up in support and deservedly claiming the last try of the game.